The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace.
If you learn more about the sacraments, you can celebrate them more fully. To learn more about the individual sacraments, please follow the links below.
  Baptism |
The Sacrament of Baptism is usually celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on the first three Sundays of each month.
In the initial months of pregnancy, the expecting parents should come to the Rectory any Sunday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, and the meet with the priest or deacon on duty. Arrangements for Baptism preparation can be made at that time.
Expecting parents of our parish are asked to make the following preparation:
- Personal Reading & Reflection
- Spiritual Vigil
- Pre-Jordan Conference
An in-depth explanation of this program is given at the Pastoral Conference.
Please call the rectory to obtain a letter of eligibility to become a God Parent.
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| Confirmation |
The Sacrament of Confirmation is administered by the Bishop to the sixth grade children of our parish in the winter of each year. Candidates must complete a program of study, prayer and service, in which their parents are also involved.Teenagers and adult Catholics who have not yet been confirmed should notify the rectory as soon as possible. Adults are confirmed at the special Confirmation Liturgy celebrated for adults each year by the Archbishop at the Cathedral-Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Please call the rectory to obtain a letter of eligibility to become a Confirmation Sponsor.
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| Holy Eucharist |
The children of the parish receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time during third grade. As with First Penance, candidates and their parents are required to take part in a period of study and prayer. All of this parental preparation is an outgrowth of the Church’s teaching that parents are the primary teachers of their children in the way of faith. |
| Holy Orders & Religious Profession |
Any young man of the parish (high school or college graduate) who has an interest in serving as a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may write to:
Director of Admission
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
1000 E. Wynnewood Road
Overbrook, PA 19096.
Any young man or woman of the parish who has an interest in entering the Religious Life may contact the respective institute or society directly or write to:
Director of Religious Vocations
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299 |
| Mass of Christain Burial |
The funeral director makes all arrangements with the Church for the Mass of Christian Burial. Family will be contacted by the Director of Music Ministry to coordinate hymns and readings.
All members of St. Catherine of Siena Church, living and deceased, are remembered in a special weekly Mass celebrated by the Pastor. |
| Matrimony |
All weddings must be arranged with the priest no later than 6 months prior to the wedding date. All Catholics are required to be married in a Catholic Church (either the Church of the bride or the groom); in the case of inter-faith marriages, permission may be given for the wedding to take place in a non-Catholic Church.
The engagement period is to be seen as a time of intense preparation for the lifelong commitment of married life. The couple must understand fully the meaning of the vows they will exchange: to live together and love each other for life, to be faithful and true to each other and to be open to the blessing of children.
The six-month preparation period is the minimum needed to assist the couple in accomplishing three goals: personal enrichment, reflection and deepening one’s relationship. The marriage preparation program here at St. Catherine’s includes the following:
- Pastoral Conference
- FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple
- Communication, Understanding & Study)
- Counselling on FOCCUS
- Pre-Cana Instructions
- Pre-Nuptual Investigation
- Rehearsal
Our program is meant to chart the way a couple must walk together as they prepare for their living and loving together in marriage. |
| Pastoral Care of the Sick |
Any parishioner who is ill, infirmed or a shut-in, may receive Holy Communion at home. The Eucharist is brought to the sick in their homes once a month by the priest and every Sunday by Eucharistic Minister. Please notify the rectory if someone in your home is ill or shut-in so that we may care for his or her spiritual needs.
Those whose conditions warrant it also receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and if near death, final Reconciliation and Communion (Viaticum) and thon.
Those who are hospitalized receive the sacraments from the full-time chaplain or from the priest whose parish has the pastoral care of that hospital. If a relative is hospitalized, please notify the rectory so that we can place him/her on the sick list and possibly visit them in the hospital as well. |
| Penance / Reconciliation |
The children of the parish receive the Sacrament of Penance for the first time during the third grade. Besides the preparation of the candidates, their parents are involved in a program of catechesis.
During the school year, the Sacrament of Penance is celebrated during a Communal Service (during school time) in October, prior to Christmas, prior to Easter and at the end of the year. PREP children also celebrate Penance in a Communal Service twice a year, in preparation for Christmas and Easter. Parents are expected to join with their children on other occasions in celebrating Penance during the regular parish schedule.
Penance is celebrated on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the main Church.
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